June 2, 2013--THE RETIREMENT PARTY AT GRANITE CREEK PARK

The Party!!!!

    I cannot thank enough my wonderful friend Kelly Tolbert for putting together a fantastic Retirement Party for me. With the help of my Roy and her Roy, it was such a success. So many friends, so much laughter, such great food, and the beautiful  huge pavilion at Granite Creek Park could not have been a better venue.  

     It's said, "If you want something done, ask the busiest person you know" certainly applies to Kelly. She is always busy, and yet always willing to take on something else especially for her friends.  I am so privileged to call her friend, and I will miss her dearly during our four months of travel.      

     Both my sisters were there for my party, one from the Verde Valley and one from Phoenix, along with nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews....phew, lots of generations! Neither Jason nor Erik could make it :-( but they were here in spirit. 

             

     There were so many people, I'm afraid photos were not taken to adequately portray all of my wonderful guests and friends, many who had traveled long distances to share this event with me.  Larry and Sheila Stedman and son Rusty came in from Wickenberg; Christian Selleron and partner Heather flew in with their pilot Rennie from Palm Springs CA where they were visiting from their home in OR; others who drove in from the Phoenix area was my sister Barbara Lambing and husband David, Joann Lawson, Bev and John Walter, and I'm sure I'm forgetting others. From the Verde Valley guests Carlinda Gallegos, Ruth and Greg Gallegos and daughter Cassidy, my sister Sue and her daughter Cindy along with grandchildren and great grandchildren Ashely Schilz, Jason Schilz, Wyatt and Charlie Schilz (and again I'm sure I'm forgetting someone); and so many friends from the Prescott area it's impossible to name them all.  

The DV Gang was represented by Joann Lawson, Paul and Terri Greminger, and Andrea Mayfield...boy those were some fun times back in Diamond Valley! 

     After the party, Roy and I discussed what wonderful friends we have, how many, and how many years some of them have been friends. When you add up friends, family, and neighbors

who are so generous with themselves and their love and caring, you then realize no matter what the financial inadequacies of retirement might bring you nor how broke you might be, you will never be poor because this kind of love and support brings riches beyond counting.  We lament at times not going to Uruguay, but Roy was literally astounded at all the people and

outpouring of good will and love toward me, that he said there is no reason what so ever for us to leave here, as we could never find this type of support and caring anywhere else.  I was so glad to hear him say that, as I had come to that conclusion long before the party...I have the BEST friends in the world and am  truly blessed with their caring, support, and love throughout the years. I look forward to returning from this road trip and reconnecting with so many now that we'll have time to actually spend withthem.  Til then, we'll see you on the blog, and some of you on the road along the way!